H.—44.

Superphosphates and Chemical Fertilizers. Official statistics, year ended 31st March— 1935. 1936. 1937. Establishments (number) .... 8 8 8 Employees (number) .. .. 644 690 753 Salaries and wages paid .. .. £138,257 £149,020 £186,208 Value of output .. .. ..£1,358,108 £1,360,123 £1,498,228 Added value .. .. .. £511,552 £539,428 £597,020 Reference is made in a previous section of this report to the operation of the Board of Trade (Fertilizer Prices) Regulations 1938. Manufacturers of fertilizers enjoyed a good year, sales having shown great expansion. The total sales from the eight works during the year ended 31st December, 1937, were 434,732 tons, as against 365,349 tons in the previous year. The improvement has continued into the present year, as may be evidenced from the fact that 129,586 tons were sold during the three months ended 31st March, 1938, as against 86,932 tons for the similar period in the previous year. The figures illustrate in a striking manner the fact that a consciousness of the advantages of fertilizers is developing considerably amongst farmers. The outlook for this industry appears favourable. Aerated-water and Cordial Factories. Official statistics, year ended 31st March— 1935. 1936. . 1937. Establishments (number) . . . . 127 129 116 Employees (number) . . .. 531 529 544 Salaries and wages paid .. .. £99,878 £102,698 £115,519 Value of output .. .. .. £321,176 £327,106 £375,082 Added value .. .. .. £232,256 £230,269 £258,404 The conditions in this industry have been good. Owing to the hot summer, sales have shown a marked improvement, although price-cutting has affected conditions to some extent. Employment lias shown a slight improvement. Iron and Brass Foundries. Official, statistics, year ended 31st March — 1935. 1936. 1937. Establishments (number) .... 41 42 44 Employees (number) . . . . 674 791 883 Salaries and wages paid .. .. £113,215 £137,764 £168,710 Value of output .. .. .. £263,844 £338,951 £427,736 Added value .. .. .. £174,405 £214,739 £260,009 Generally, satisfactory conditions have prevailed during the year. Hosiery-factories. Official statistics, year ended 31st March — 1935. 1936. 1937. Establishments (number) .... 33 33 35 Employees (number) .. .. 998 1,012 1,226 Salaries and wages paid .. .. £111,551 £114,379 £146,623 Value of output .. .. .. £440,089 £461,653 £564,990 Added value .. .. .. £214,178 £248,236 £258,715 Imports (calendar years) .. .. £196,630 £246,536 £429,525 Production expanded, and the industry, although faced with certain difficulties, experienced a satisfactory year. Competition was keen, especially from overseas, so that operating margins were line on many lines. The recent tariff alterations have benefited this industry. Tinned-plate and Sheet-metal Working. Official statistics, year ended 31st March — 1935. 1936. 1937. Establishments (number) . . . . 130 127 128 Employees (number) .. .. 1,452 1, 384 1, 554 Salaries and wages paid .. .. £214,918 £204,118 £270,608 Value of output .. .. .. £763,682 £792,461 £1,032,347 Value added by manufacture .. £358,577 £344,107 £451,464 The year has been a very busy one for this industry, with sales showing some increase. Prospects are good. Electrical Engineering. Official statistics, year ended 31st March— 1935. 1936. 1937. Establishments (number) . . . . 53 69 74 Employees (number) . . . . 355 617 598 Salaries and wages paid .. .. £52,683 £90,080 £94,837 Value of output £162,755 £302,056 £321,306 Value added by manufacture .. £86,944 £172,614 £181,541 Business throughout the year was exceptionally good. Prices of raw materials exhibited violent fluctuations in the first quarter, but' since then showed a tendency to ease. A decided shortage of skilled workmen was evident in some cases, and this hampered production to some extent. In many instances increases were made in both factory and shop space to cope with demand. On the year as a whole, production has shown a good increase, and employment has increased also.

38